Though a return to the JCPOA seems likely, both Washington and Tehran have complex internal obstacles to overcome
The United States and Iran are in a staring contest, and neither wants to blink first – at least that’s how the BBC Middle East editor, Jeremy Bowen, described the current political impasse.
Since president Joe Biden took office on 20 January, the countries have been locked in a stalemate over the joint comprehensive plan of action (JCPOA), which the Donald Trump administration withdrew from in May 2018, reimposing sanctions on Iran – despite the country not having violating the multilateral accord. These actions prompted Iran to speed up its nuclear programme after May 2019 by incrementally breaching aspects of the JCPOA.
Related: Roadmap to rescue Iran nuclear deal agreed in Vienna talks
Holly Dagres is a senior fellow in the Atlantic Council’s Middle East programs